Chinese Antique Porcelain Cricket Box with Gold Painted Text and Decoration kids drawing handle measures 3 3/8" l

handle measures 3 3/8" l x 2" d

) I'd guess it might have been made as a card box (I believe two decks would fit inside)

but finally deciphered the signature on the bottom to realize it is by George Kills Pretty Enemy (Pte San Hoksila)

who told her husband she “liked mice”

Chinese Antique Porcelain Cricket Box with Gold Painted Text and Decoration kids drawing handle measures 3 3/8" lWhen I purchased this piece, it was, understandably, marked as an incense box (and I think has been, and is perfectly suited to use as such), but it was originally created (in the second half of the 19th century I believe) to house a cricket, a symbol of vitality and prosperity in China, and kept near in boxes like this so to enjoy their chirping. This one, glazed a deep orange with hand painted gold decoration, features leaves grasses on the top and